Rough way to go out
against Air Force. Army played a strong first half defensively and it
looked like they could keep it close solely on the mojo of the defense. I
probably don't stand alone in saying it felt like it was a question of
'not if but when' Army's defense would falter. There have been
lapses on defense in every game and while the defense was stout early -
the close nature of the game magnified Air Force's big plays.

On
the other side of the ball the complete ineffectiveness of Army's
offense plowed under any hope to pull the game out in the second half
and the blame sits firmly on the offense for not being able to move the
football - even a little bit. 1 for 12 on 3rd down simply doesn't cut
it. It was like Air Force started with 2 D linemen bracketing Angel
Santiago upon every snap. I think it's amazing that Army had a chance to
make it a game through the 3rd quarter, but defensively, Army came to
play. Offensively, no they did not.

It was just one
of those growing games that you get with a first year coaching staff. 8
games in, I don't think anyone imagined Army would be sitting here with
just two wins, and that's a lot of what stings about where the team is
at right now. Phil Steele's prediction that Army would flirt with bowl
eligibility is now in the ash heap of history - but don't let that bring
you down. There are positives to be taken from every game and the young
guys who have stepped in this year and filled in for injuries are the
seeds planted for this program to grow.

Army is years
away from where they need to be, but the way they will come around is
with that familiar one game at a time ethos. Stick with them, they will
get better, they will beat teams, they will win games, and it all starts
this week against Connecticut.